Heart Palpitations: Treatment | The Heart Hospital Baylor

Treatment for palpitations depends on their cause. Most palpitations are harmless and often go away on their own. In these cases, no treatment is needed.

In some cases, treatment for heart palpitations is suggested. This may include avoiding triggers that likely lead to palpitations, or treating your heart condition that is causing the palpitations. Medication, or a change in medication, is sometimes recommended by your doctor.

Avoiding Triggers

Your palpitations may be harmless but bothersome. If so, your doctor may suggest avoiding things that trigger them. For example, your doctor may advise you to:

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Reduce anxiety and stress. Anxiety and stress (including panic attacks) are a common cause of harmless palpitations. Relaxation exercises, yoga or tai chi, biofeedback or guided imagery, or aromatherapy may help you relax.

Avoid or limit stimulants, such as caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol.

Avoid illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines.

Avoid medicines that act as stimulants, such as cough and cold medicines and some herbal and nutritional supplements.

Treating Medical Conditions That May Cause Palpitations

Work with your doctor to control medical conditions that can cause palpitations, such as an overactive thyroid. If you're taking medicine that's causing palpitations, your doctor will try to find a different medicine for you.

If your palpitations are caused by an arrhythmia, your doctor may recommend medicines or procedures to treat the problem.

Living With Palpitations

Most palpitations are harmless and often go away on their own. Treatment usually isn't needed in these cases. Your doctor may advise you to avoid triggers for palpitations.

Your doctor may have already told you that your palpitations are harmless. Even so, see your doctor again if they get worse, start to occur more often, become more noticeable or bothersome, or occur with other symptoms.

Your doctor will tell you about other signs and symptoms to be aware of and when to seek emergency care.

A medical condition or heart problem might be the cause of palpitations. If so, your doctor will give you advice and treatment for your condition.

Source: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System's subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano or Baylor Health Care System.